Black Sea Coast and the Danube Delta

Romania, 8 days

Romania should be high on the list of destinations for every birdwatcher. It has such fantastic regions as the Carpathian Mountains, Transylvania, the biggest river delta in Europe, the Danube Delta or the Black Sea Coast and Dobrogea area. This tour concentrates on the Danube Delta, the Black Sea Coast and Dobrogea, each is completely different and amazing areas.

Danube Delta

The Danube Delta is for those who enjoy spectacular birdwatching: huge flocks of pelicans, waders, cormorants, reedbeds full of warblers, lakes and marshes full of ducks, herons, egrets and ibises. Woodpeckers, Hoopoe, Roller, Bee-eater and Golden Oriole are plentiful.

Black Sea Coast & Dobrogea

On the Black Sea Coast of Dobrogea sought after raptors fly overhead and in the forests, hills and plains nearby you find Long-legged Buzzard, Levant Sparrowhawk, Booted Eagle, Pied Wheatear, Rock Thrush and Sombre Tit. The extensive wetlands along the sea provide habitat for rare resident species and thousands of migrating birds as well, including pelicans, Ruddy Shelduck and Paddyfield Warbler.

Activity level

Itinerary

Day1

We meet at our English speaking guide at the Bucharest airport and then travel to Mamaia on the Black Sea Coast.

Day2

We visit one of the best birding areas in Europe, the wetlands of Histria and Vadu. Muddy pools, ponds, extensive reedbeds, steppe and sandy scrub attract many resident and migrating bird species including White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Ruddy Shelduck, Ferruginous Duck and Paddyfield Warbler.

Day3

We head north towards the Danube Delta crossing Babadag Forest. Levant Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed, Booted and Lesser-Spotted Eagles, Sombre Tit have all been sighted here. We also stop at the castle of Enisala. We arrive to our floating hotel in Tulcea in the afternoon.

Days4-5

We spend 2 full days birding along the rich waterways in the heart of the Danube Delta! We visit Mila 23, Fortuna Lake and Letea Forest among others. We should see plenty of White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Spoonbills, Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron, Great White Egret, Squacco Heron, Pygmy Cormorant and many more species.

Days6-7

We leave the boat and head for the Macin Hills and Cheia Gorge to look for raptors, Rock Thrush and Pied Wheatear. We visit Lake Techirghiol that attracts Avocet, Black-necked Stilt and Stone-Curlew. We also drive to Hagieni Forest, where the variety of habitats supports raptors, woodland species, warblers and waterbirds.

Day8

We leave the Black Sea and head for Bucharest. "Eyes on the sky" for more raptors and if time permits we stop at interesting places en route.